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Hey all, I've got a good friend that wants to accompany me to the shows of the summer. He's a great guy with a wonderful personality. Which I think will be very good for meeting the public. Unfortunatley, he knows bub-kiss about guitars. He's willing to do his research however. I've told him that under no circumstances is he to play the "salesman" (note the quotes) role and make up an answer to a question. If he gets stumped by something, simple defer to the builder.
So, if I wanted to help him do his research, what books or websites are out there that just talk about the basics of guitars. Not so much about construction, though that would be good too, but more about the instrument. How a cedar top sounds different from a spruce top, these type of things.
Thanks Paul

Hey Paul,

HERE is a good one that I think will fit the bill.

Cheers

Kim

Thanks guys! I think those will help a lot. Best, Paul

Paul, give him a stack of Acoustic Guitar from the last three years, tell him to look for info on acoustic guitars cover to cover. He's bound to learn some things. Plus have him visit each website offered there and read the spin different makers put on their product.

Where all you going this summer?

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

Paul,

Are you familiar with the old looseleaf LMI "catalog"? I found one on eBay and snagged it. One of the interesting things about the catalog is quite a few luthiers were interviewed and asked to describe the sound qualities of spruce, cedar, and redwood. I believe there were some discussions about back woods as well -- less sure of that, it's been some time since I read through it, and I don't have it handy at the moment. Anyway, it was interesting to read how similar many of the evaluations were.

Best,

Michael

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Live to Play, Play to Live

Paul,

Put your friend to work as an unpaid slave in your workshop...perfect way to learn everything about guitars

"Clapton's Guitar" is a good read - I wonder how much someone without
experience with lutherie or even guitars period would get out of it.

I had a book once that has since made its way into a forgotten attic box -
"The Complete Guitarist" by Richard Chapman. It was really neat because
it was an "all things guitar" almost-encyclopedic book. It went through
the history of the development of the guitar, talked about acoustics (both
classical and steel string) and electrics (foreword by Les Paul!). It had
anatomy, about 1000 pictures of different models, and basic notes on
construction. There's a section on maintenance, a very very nice section
on amplification, and even some lessons on how to play. Overall I'd
describe it as a comprehensive appreciation of the guitar as a musical
instrument in all its diverse forms. I imagine it would be great for
someone completely new to guitar.